Sensor clip

Abstract

A sensor clip for positioning a sensor relative to a substrate, particularly but not exclusively a temperature sensor (e.g. a thermocouple) used to obtain a temperature profile of a part of the substrate or surrounding environment as it passes through an industrial oven. The sensor clip comprises a first part and a second part slidably mounted with respect to the first part, the parts defining a pair of jaws having opposed surfaces for engaging sides of the substrate, with jaw separation being determined by linear movement of one part relative to the other.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A sensor clip for positioning a sensor relative to a substrate, comprising a first part and a second part slidably mounted with respect to the first part, the parts defining a pair of jaws having opposed surfaces for engaging sides of the substrate, with jaw separation being determined by linear movement of one part relative to the other.  
     
     
         2 . A sensor clip as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a spring bias for urging the pair of jaws towards each other.  
     
     
         3 . A sensor clip as claimed in  claim 2 , in which the spring bias is provided by a helical spring positioned to provide a force urging the jaws to a closed configuration.  
     
     
         4 . A sensor clip as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the second part of the sensor clip includes a plunger extending through the first part, with movement of the plunger relative to the first part determining jaw separation.  
     
     
         5 . A sensor clip as claimed in  claim 4 , in which the first part includes a bore and the second part includes an elongate portion slidably received in the bore.  
     
     
         6 . A sensor clip as claimed in  claim 4 , in which the plunger is configured to increase jaw separation when pushed through the first part.  
     
     
         7 . A sensor clip as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the plunger is configured to engage a central region of the opposed surface of the first part.  
     
     
         8 . A sensor clip as claimed in  claim 1 , in which at least one of the opposed surfaces of the pair of jaws is circular.  
     
     
         9 . A sensor clip as claimed in  claim 8 , in which the opposed surface of the first part is larger than that of the second part.  
     
     
         10 . A sensor clip as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the jaw associated with the second part is formed by a bracket configured so that the opposed surface thereby defined is non-planar.  
     
     
         11 . A sensor clip as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the first and second parts are configured for one-handed actuation.  
     
     
         12 . A sensor clip as claimed in  claim 11 , in which the first part includes at least one finger grip, and the plunger is configured for thumb actuation when the first part is finger held.  
     
     
         13 . A sensor clip as claimed in  claim 12 , in which the finger grip includes a member extending laterally of the direction of movement of one part relative to the other.  
     
     
         14 . A sensor clip as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a probe arm.  
     
     
         15 . A sensor clip as claimed in  claim 14 , in which the probe arm is elongate and is used to position the sensor in a location spaced from where the jaws engage the substrate.  
     
     
         16 . A sensor clip as claimed in  claim 14 , in which the probe arm is resilient and configured to urge a sensor into intimate contact with a surface which is to be sensed.  
     
     
         17 . A method of positioning a sensor relative to a substrate comprising the steps of: 
 providing a sensor clip comprising a first part and a second part slidably mounted with respect to the first part, the parts defining a pair of jaws having opposed surfaces; and    using the sensor clip to position the sensor by adjusting the jaw separation by linear movement of one part relative to the other to engage sides of the substrate between opposed surfaces of the jaws.    
     
     
         18 . A method of positioning a sensor relative to a substrate as claimed in  claim 17 , in which the sensor clip further comprises a spring bias for urging the pair of jaws towards each other, and the step of using the sensor clip to position the sensor comprises: 
 opening the jaws against the spring bias;    manoeuvring the sensor clip so that the open jaws straddle the substrate; and    allowing the spring bias to close the jaws around the substrate.